WHAT IS BALLROOM DANCE

● is a type of social dance originated in France during the 16 th century. Ballroom dancing
was meant for the privileged and well off, commoners were exposed to folk dancing.
However, these boundaries disappeared, it has evolved and can be performed in two
subgenres: standard or smooth; and Latin or rhythm.
● With Smooth, Standard style, it focuses on elegance, grace and fluidity movement. The
dancers rotate in a counterclockwise direction to move around the entire dance floor.
Eventually, they will be transitioning from one place to another in a fixed pattern namely:
Foxtrot; Waltz; Tango; Vietnamese Waltz and Quickstep.
● On the other hand, Rhythm, Latin style focuses on displaying vibrant energy. The
dancing patterns used are syncopated to the rhythm of the music. Dancers dance in one
spot of the dance floor through these patterns: East Coast Swing; Jive; Rumba; Bolero;
Cha Cha; Mambo; Samba; and Paso Doble.

WHAT IS TANGO

● Tango is considered to be one the most famous partner dances as it emphasizes the
vibrant and playful style of movement anchored with rich expressions, improvisation and
fosters close connection and passion between dancers.
● It is a dramatic dance style that is popular in the United States and all over the world. It is
characterized by sharp, staccato movements and a passionate attitude.
● At the heart of tango, is the desire to listen to, understand and converse with the person
you're dancing with.
● Through this unique language of dance, there is a lead-follow relationship between
dancing partners.

HISTORY OF TANGO

● Mid 1800s
● Africa, Spain, Italy, England, Poland, Russia and native-born Argentinian
● La Pata River
● Buenos Aires in Argentina and Montevideo in Uruguay
● Dance of the European immigrants, former slaves, working and lower classes of
people
● “Music of the Immigrants”
● Dance of choice during “Conventillos” gatherings
● Bandoneon “tango accordion” and ensemble bands (orquestra)
● 1st decade of the 20th century, with over 1000 gramophone records
 ● 2nd decade, 5,500 gramophone records in Argentina
● Juan Pérez, Dame la Lata (Give me my pay)

BASIC STEPS OF TANGO

· Tango is a walking dance, meaning all the steps are based on walking.

· Tango Basic is made of 5 steps taken into 8 counts in music. The rhythm is slow, slow,
quick, quick, slow. The slow steps consume two beats of music and the quick steps one.

· Tango is danced in closed position. The man’s left hand is holding the lady’s right hand. His
right hand is placed on her back, along the bottom of her ribcage. The lady’s left hand is placed
on his right shoulder. You always bent your knees.

· The lead and follow mirror each other’s steps. The lead begins with the left foot, the follow
with the right. Walks usually curve gradually to the left.

Basic Steps for Men:

1. Step forward with your left foot.

2. Step forward with your right foot passing the left foot.

3. Step forward again with your left foot this time passing the right foot.

4. Step forward and to the right with your right foot.

5. Let foot close to the right foot.

Basic Steps for Women:

1. Step back with your right foot.

2. Step back with your left foot passing the right foot.

3. Step back again with your right foot this time passing the left foot.

4. Step back and to the left with your left foot.

5. Right foot close to the left foot.

TYPES OF TANGO
● Argentine Tango
○ Originated from the streets of Buenos Aires,
Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay in the late 19th
century.
○ One of the original forms of tango. It has many
possibilities for improvisation.
○ It includes all of the basic elements of the 19th
century tango styles including fluid embraces, Varying
postures, and Sensuality.

● Ballroom Tango
○ Originated in Buenos Aires' lower class, specifically in the "Bario de las Ranas."
○ Ballroom tango evolved from the Argentine style to fulfill the standards of
competitive ballroom dancing.
○ This style is categorized into 2 types:

■ International style - Performed in

■ American style - Performed in social situations.

● Salon Tango
 ○ Originated from Buenos Aires in the years 1935 to 1952 .
○ Can be danced in either an open or closed stance.
○ Known for its flexible embrace, which makes for a lot of hip movement by both
dancers.

● Tango Nuevo
○ Originated from traditional tango dance and it started to
develop in the 1980s.
○ AKA "New Tango".
○ This style combines elements of jazz, electronic dance, and
other styles of tango. It can be danced in both traditional and
non-traditional tango music.

● Finnish Tango
○ Tango became famous in Finland in the 1930s.
○ This style is characterized by its close touch, regular dips and
rotations, and lack of kicks or aerials.

● Uruguayan Tango
○ This style originated from the poor neighborhoods of
Montevideo around 1880.
○ It can be danced to a variety of tango music.
○ In Uruguayan tango, the body moves first, forcing the
feet to "catch up" and support the
movement.

● Tango Apilado
○ Apilado means "piled up" in Spanish, which explains the dancers'
posture in apilado tango.
○ Tango apilado is distinguished by the lead and follower's heavy
lean towards each other. The right cheek of the follower binds to
the right cheek of the leader.
 ● Show Tango
○ AKA “Fantasia tango”.
○ It blends many distinct tango styles and is distinguished by its extravagant
gestures. This style combines tricks, spins, and flourishes designed for
tournaments and performances.

MUSIC OF TANGO
Reference List:
● Elite Dance Studio. (2020, June 3). Different Types of Tango.
https://www.elitedancestudio.net/blogs/different-types-of-tango/
● Did you know there are 8 different types of tango? (2019, June 12). Patagonia and Other
Adventure Travel Destinations. https://blogpatagonia.australis.com/different-types-tango/
● Tango Apilado / Milonguero Style of Dancing - description. (n.d.). Very Tango Store.
Retrieved March 17, 2021, from http://www.verytangostore.com/apilado-style.html
● Wikipedia contributors. (2021a, February 20). Uruguayan tango. Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uruguayan_tango
● Wikipedia contributors. (2021b, March 17). Nuevo tango. Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuevo_tango
● Tango Dance - Types, Styles and Techniques. (2017, December 28). Retrieved from
Dancefacts.net website: http://www.dancefacts.net/tango/tango-dance/
● Tango history - origin and characteristics of tango. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2021,
from http://www.dancefacts.net/tango/history-of-tango/
● Abeele, B. (n.d.). The origins of tango. Retrieved March 18, 2021, from
https://www.tanguito.co.uk/tango-culture/discover-tango/know-your-tango/
● Dancing For Beginners. (n.d.). Tango. Retrieved from
https://www.dancing4beginners.com/tango/